'Single Mom' Excuse For No Tip Draws Internet Ire

Months after a server was fired for tweeting a picture of a receipt from NFL quarterback Peyton Manning with a generous tip, the latest viral sensation stems from a customer who did the opposite. The receipt, which is for a bill of $138.55, is marked with a note supposedly from a single mom who left no tip. “Thank you, it was great,” the customer wrote at the bottom.

Like so many other Internet hits, the image surfaced on Reddit. The anonymous Reddit user, PhenixSongFawkes, wrote, “I’m sure $140 could have gotten you and your kids a week worth of groceries, but instead you spend it one one meal?! For shame!”

The post inspired a debate among thousands of Reddit users, perhaps best summarized by user doodads.

“To anyone who just arrived and are sifting through the comments: A bunch of people who have never worked in a restaurant in the U.S. are complaining about having to tip, and then people who have worked in U.S. restaurants are [complaining] at them because they don't understand how U.S. waiters/waitresses/servers make money.

“Then when it is explained that the servers only get paid enough of a wage to cover taxes and have to rely on tips to pay bills, everyone comments on how [unfair] of a system that is and how restaurant managers and owners must be the biggest [jerks] ever to perpetuate this kind of system,” doodads continued.

“This happens every time this sort of thing is posted on Reddit.”

Mari-Jane Williams of the Washington Post pointed out that before Web users get too excited, they should remember the legitimacy of the note is almost impossible to verify.